Editorial: San Rafael BID gets chance to prove 'fresh start'

THE expanded Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District is off and running with the promise of a larger budget and a broader challenge.

The six-fold expansion, approved in a vote of downtown business owners and the City Council, was needed to keep the district in business.

Cutbacks in city funding, especially the loss of redevelopment agency money, had the district on the ropes. Its answer is to enlarge the district to solidify its budget.

Now it's up to the district to prove its worth, especially to those who expressed opposition to expanding the size and scope of the city-sponsored agency.

The district's leadership calls the new scale a "fresh start."

There's no question that more can be done downtown, in terms of improvements and events that could promote business.

The district's mission is clear, including promoting a clean and attractive downtown, marketing downtown as a place to shop, dine and even open a business and advocating for businesses on issues such as parking and police patrol. San Rafael's district has also been involved in putting on the annual May Madness and Halloween Trick or Treat events.

By expanding its boundaries, the district will see a five-fold increase in its annual budget, raising it to more than $100,000 in dues paid by businesses.

The district has one year to prove that those businesses are getting their money's worth. Renewal of the yearly assessments needs City Council approval and that will depend on the district's success.

The dues range from $50 to $225, with street-level businesses in the center of downtown paying the highest dues.

The district, in place since 1982, has to make up for the loss of $13,000 from the city's now-shuttered redevelopment program and $30,000 it has received from a parking lot on Lindaro Street.

The lot's owner, PG&E, is selling the property.

Loss of those funds would leave the district with a $15,000 annual budget.

"Our base funding is not enough to sustain a vibrant and functioning organization," said Carol Thompson, the district's executive director.

Key to success of this "fresh start" will be reaching out to involve more businesses in its decision-making process and making a convincing case to its critics who questioned whether their areas will benefit from their dues.

An attractive, vibrant downtown should benefit every business, whether it is on the first floor along the heart of Fourth Street or on the edges of the district's new boundaries.

The district has won a chance to prove itself and its mission. Its renewal will depend on how well it succeeds in achieving its goals.

As Councilman Andrew McCullough said when the council approved the new district boundaries and dues: It is worth giving the district chance to prove what it can do.